[TO THE EDITOR OP THE "Spigot/emu." J
SIR,—May a poor curate who only sees your valuable paper through the courtesy of a friend venture to express his view on Church finance ? Our great need is co-operation. I do not know any body of men less willing to co-operate than parsons. (1) By proper co-operation we could establish .a compulsory pension fund for the Anglican Communion. Every Bishop would insist on every ordination candidate paying into thie bind. (If hie health does net justify the 41aCtor passing his life for the fund, the Bishop must surcease from ordaining him.) The fund will have to be a pension fund proper, se that the contributions might not be too heavy. The laity would no doubt contribute as well. But we could do such a lot in this matter for ourselves if we would only co-operate. (2) By co-operation we could establish a central (? diocesan) dilapidation fend. The total liability of every incumbent for the fabric, &e., of the vicarage would be the extent of his annnal " rate." "White elephant" vicarages will have to be sold. (4) The legal and other fees for entering or leaving a living must be reduced to a maximum of 25. With these reforms we could work for a living to be no longer a freehold on the present terms, and by giving the laity greater responsibility in the appointments we can call on them for a greater obedience to the principle "Even so bath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel." We do not want either rich livings or rich biehoprics, but we want to have such a measure of reform as will make it possible for a poor man to live in a simple way in that "living" where his gifts will make him the most suitable minister. The present "money test" is not Scriptural.—I am, Sir, &c., Bipnwsizn HANCOCK (Lately a Winchester Diocesan Missioner). Uxbridge.
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